Better living--and working--through chemistry.
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I was at my lowest. My absolute lowest. Anxiety would cloud my every move when I was at work. I had a dull ache in my chest for my entire shift. I would dread going back to work. My days off... Read More

Mar 28, '13

One of things that happen in nursing is we tend to take on our patient and family emotions and problems internally. There is a term for this and I can t remember. Combine this emotional stuff and our own stuff and the actual work takes alot out of us.
They dont tell us these things in nursing school and how to protect our own psyches and souls.
I think taking care of ourselves is one key component . Eating well and exercising and sometimes that can be tough in this busy world but we can try. I worked at a hospital that offered meditation during various times of the day. Gosh this helped me so much.
Just to quite my mind and some deep breathing. It was like a small holiday for my body and soul.
I lasted 42 years in nursing and so many people asked me why I retired @ 62 and it is so hard to explain the many reasons that I had to . It was taking a toll on my body and mind . They say I am too young. True, but I just could not offer my patients good care when I myself needed to take better care of myself. I wish all those in the profession the best of luck and health .

Mar 28, '13

I think its so sad that a healing profession/calling leaves so many dealing with depression/anxiety. Sort of a silent epidemic.
But I am happy for the posters here who have sought and found help. Yay for us!

Mar 28, '13

I think "shift" work plays into this issue....plays havoc with hormones, all of them......

Mar 28, '13

Exact same story here, even down to the same SSRI, it's made all the difference in the world.

One of things that happen in nursing is we tend to take on our patient and family emotions and problems internally. There is a term for this and I can t remember. Combine this emotional stuff and our own stuff and the actual work takes alot out of us.
They dont tell us these things in nursing school and how to protect our own psyches and souls.
I think taking care of ourselves is one key component . Eating well and exercising and sometimes that can be tough in this busy world but we can try. I worked at a hospital that offered meditation during various times of the day. Gosh this helped me so much.
Just to quite my mind and some deep breathing. It was like a small holiday for my body and soul.
I lasted 42 years in nursing and so many people asked me why I retired @ 62 and it is so hard to explain the many reasons that I had to . It was taking a toll on my body and mind . They say I am too young. True, but I just could not offer my patients good care when I myself needed to take better care of myself. I wish all those in the profession the best of luck and health .

If I make it till age 62 in this profession, it'll be nothing short of a miracle. ~sigh~ The overwhelming and ever-increasing numbers of rules and regulations make it all but impossible to do a good job every day, no matter how hard I work, and I'm already exhausted---and I'm still a few months shy of 55.

Then when I factor in the medical problems I battle daily, plus rapid-cycling bipolar II disorder, I can't help but wonder if those things would get better if I were to get out of the field entirely. And I have this horrid suspicion they might.

Mar 29, '13

cymbalta has been my life-saver.
i had tried every ssri out there (and didn't gain weight) but they all eventually wore off.
cymbalta is the first ad that has sustained me.

it is true that this depression/anxiety can be exogenous...r/t external factors.
if that is the case then yes, when the time is right (which you and your dr agree upon), then you can be weaned off.
but if the depression is truly a chemical imbalance, then it'll likely be lifelong.

i cannot emphasize enough, the need of a therapist that you fit with.
you may have to interview a few but i assure you, there is someone out there where you will feel the rapport.

i'm very happy for you dudette.
life sounds good now.
yay for you.

leslie

Mar 31, '13

Not all antidepressants cause weight gain...and while I do understand that concern..if you aren't living life, wanting to die, thinking of suicide, unable to care for yourself or others, losing friends, jobs and family because you can't function you aren't exercising, sleeping or eating correctly to begin with and are most likely self medicating with booze or food.. anyway..it seems to me the side effects of anxiety and clinical depression are FAR more dangerous to a person's health and longevity than weight gain.

Am glad you are feeling better and thank for you sharing your experience with depression/anxiety and medication management.